At last, worn out with grief and fatigue, I threw myself on the ground, and after a time fell asleep.
[CHAPTER III]
THE TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION
When I opened my eyes the sun was up, and I saw, all standing around the stockade, the elephants of the day before—but out of my reach!
They were fastened by the foot, by means of a rope which they could have broken without the slightest effort. They were eating with great relish the fine roots and grasses piled up in front of them.
I was too sad and mortified to feel hungry, and I looked gloomily at these prisoners, whose happiness and contentment I could not understand.
After they had finished eating some men arrived, and far from showing fear, they saluted them by flapping their ears—giving every sign of joy. Each man seemed to be welcomed by one special elephant to whom he gave his sole attention. He loosened the rope from the foot, and rubbed the rough skin with an ointment, and then, upon a signal, the captive bent back one of his fore-legs to enable the man to mount upon his colossal back. I looked at all this with such astonishment that I almost for the moment forgot my own sufferings.
And now, each man being seated upon the neck of an elephant, they, one after another, fell into line and marched out of the enclosure, and the gate was shut behind them.
I was alone; abandoned. The day was long and cruel. The sun scorched me, and hunger and thirst began to cause me suffering.